Ok Day one is down.  Our focus for the first day was on opening stuff.  To get the juices flowing we discussed the difference between monastic learning and scholastic - one distinction being that scholastic learners believe that we can learn about something without being changed by it.  As Christian learners we believe that when we study God and or the scriptures - God's revelation of self we can not avoid being changed.  I pray that we are changing - growing as we meet on sundays and meditate on scriptures together.  

Our professor then relayed his 12 assumptions that began with the belief that God is always with us.  Always and everywhere, that we are created in God's image and that God wants to be in relationship with us - that in fact we yearn for that relationship.  I was encouraged to believe that we have heard sermons pertaining to all of those assumptions at some time in the last year or so.  Can you hear me patting my back.  

In the afternoon we wrestled with sensing God's presence - what helps us and what gets in the way.  We will continue to wrestle with this presence as we continue to grow in awareness.  God is with us on Sunday mornings, as we fellowship and as we serve together - can we see God?  

There was lots more, but this blog won't contain it all.  It is time to start thinking about my project - I will give you some hints when I start to find some direction.  

OHHH about last nights service - It was OK - I found myself behaving in a critical manner.  And then I reminded myself that though not all of the service was what I appreciate, that many around me were worshipping in a wonderful way.  Jesus was there despite my negativity.  Thanks be to God.

Blessings